Arkansas Razorbacks

Head Coach

Bobby Petrino	1st year
07-08	8-5
SEC	4-4
FCR	9

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Houston Nutt is gone and the recently much traveled Bobby Petrino has been hired to lead the Razorback back to SEC prominence. Petrino will need to mend his reputation a bit but wins will make everything better. The attack will change and quarterback Casey Dick will have an expanded role, their solid on both lines but have many holes to fill but hopes are high in Fayetteville that Arkansas will soon be a player on the national scene.

Quarterback - Senior Casey Dick will start at quarterback; his role has changed and his passing numbers from last season will see a big jump as his main job last season was to hand the ball to Darrin McFadden and Felix Jones. He threw for only 1,695 yards but he did have an impressive 18 TD’s passes, he has a decent arm but his biggest strength is his maturity and understanding of the offense. Brother Nathan Dick, a redshirt freshman will be the number two man, Ryan Mallett has transferred in from Michigan and will in all probability take the reins in 2009.

Running Backs - The nations best running back duo from last season is in the NFL and the new man will be junior Michael Smith, he won’t be a workhorse but will use his speed to get outside and will contribute catching the ball out of the backfield. Incoming freshman DeAnthony Curtis is a big time recruit who may make an immediate impact. At fullback will be senior Lance Thompson, his role will diminish in Petrino’s offense but will also be used in the passing game.

Receivers - Very little returns in the way of proven production on the outside, the leading returning pass catcher is backup tight end Andrew Davie with 11 receptions for 977 yards and three TD’s. The best bet on the outside is junior London Crawford, he started last season but missed half the year with an injury and is very good after the catch. Look for sophomores Marques Wade and Carlton Salter to be more involved in the attack this fall. Petrino feels he has the tight ends that will work well in his offense and sophomore D.J. Williams and Davie will be see a big jump in their numbers this fall.

Offensive Line - One of the better units in the SEC led by three seniors in right tackle Jose Valdez, left guard Mitch Petrus and center Jonathan Luigs. The newcomers will sophomores DeMarcus Love at right guard and at left tackle Ray Dominguez. Lots of talent here and they shown they can run block and Dominguez has shown that his pass blocking skills will give Dick excellent protection on his blind side.

Defensive Line - The strength of the defense is upfront as three starters return, on the inside will be senior Ernest Mitchell at nose tackle and at defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard. On the outside junior Adrian Davis returns and he’ll be joined by redshirt freshman Jake Bequette who was outstanding this spring, senior Antwain Robinson will also be in the mix on the edge. Lots of talent here and this unit will generate good pressure upfield.

Linebackers - Lots of issues here, last years leading tackler Freddie Fairchild has been kicked off the team and that leaves only one proven player in senior Elston Forte who’ll be on the strongside. Starting n the middle will be redshirt freshman Jerry Franklin and on the weakside will be sophomore Ryan Powers. They’re a young group with good speed but will have to show the run and going up against an SEC schedule they be exposed quickly if their not up to the task.

Defensive Backs - It will be a completely new unit with senior Jamar Love and sophomore Isaac Madison at the corners, at strong safety will be senior Dallas Washington and at free safety junior Matt Harris. The front four will be a big help if they put enough pressure on the quarterback, sophomore Darrell Glasper stepped up this spring and could be in the mix on the corner.

Special Teams - At placekicker stud sophomore Alex Tejada returns, he was 17 of 23 as a true freshman and will only get better. Senior Jeremy Davis returns as the Razorback punter, he averaged 40 yards a year ago. The returns will be handled by juniors Michael Smith and Jerrell Norton but when you lose a Felix Jones look for a drop in production.

Schedule - No doubt about it, it’s tough. After a 2-0 start they must travel to Texas and in Weeks 5 & 6 they face SEC powers Florida and Auburn, if they can beat Alabama at home they’ll be 3-3 at the halfway point. They get seven home dates and are solid on both lines, look for Arkansas to experience some growing pains in Petrino’s first season and they’ll end the season with 6+ wins.